Sailing

Are your sails flapping? Does your boat run out of rudder quickly or does your boat cant too quickly? Do you notice that you cannot sail as high to the wind anymore and have to reef quickly despite the fact that you pay a lot of attention to the trim? Then you are ready for a new sail. A new sail will increase the sailing pleasure and safety of you and your crew.

TYPE OF SAILS

Buying a new sail is a celebration for which you want to take all the time you need. It is very important to choose a sail that perfectly suits your wishes, your ship, purpose, use and sailing area. The sailors at Zeilmakerij De Vries Maritiem are happy to help you choose the right sail based on their own practical experience.

CRUISING

Sailmakerij De Vries Maritiem is a sailmaker for all types of sails. Before buying a sail it is important to know what your purpose and sailing area is. For this reason we have made a subdivision.

Cruising sails are sails for the cruising sailor on the inland waterways, IJsselmeer, Wadden Sea and coastal waters of the Netherlands. The sails are standard. Cruising sails are competitively priced and are suitable for a very wide range of use. For Cruising sails we use 100% woven fabrics (Dacron) which are produced cross-cut (in horizontal strips).

CRUISING OFFSHORE

Cruising Offshore are sails for the cruising sailor who regularly makes longer trips and sometimes has to deal with heavy conditions (wind and waves). These sails are heavier and get extra reinforcements where necessary. In general, sails with a cross cut cut of the cloth types Dacron or Hydranet are chosen here.

PERFORMANCE

Sailors who place an above-average importance on performance and enjoy passing other boats and turning every voyage into a race will find our Performance line eminently suitable. The shape of the sail is of great importance to this group of sailors and for this reason it is advised to choose a tri-radial cut of the sail. In addition, the type of cloth is adjusted accordingly. We usually choose a DCX laminate or Hydranet radial. Hydranet radial is suitable for heavy conditions but with an optimal performance.

Also read how different types of sails belong to different types of sailors.

SNIT

The sails of Sailmakerij De Vries Maritiem can be cut in 2 ways.

1. CROSS- CUT

Cross-cut sails are sails with horizontal courses. This is mostly used by sailors who are less concerned with performance. Since a cross cut sail has fewer panels, the price is comparatively lower. There are different types of cloth that can be used for a cross cut sail. In general, Dacron is used as the fabric type, but other fabrics are of course also possible. Cross-cut sails are therefore particularly suitable for the cruising sailor.

2. TRI-RADIAL

For the sailor who values performance very highly, the best choice is a sail with a tri-radial cut. In a sail with a tri-radial cut, the courses are designed and stitched together so that the pulling forces on the sail from the corners are best distributed over the total area of the sail. Thus, the courses run from the neck top and clew corner to the center of the sail. There are a number of cloth types suitable for a tri-radial cut. You can read more about this in the chapter "fabric types".

So a sail with a tri-radial cut contains many more lanes which allows the design and shape to be made optimal. This benefits performance.

DOEK

There are a huge number of cloth types, laminates and suppliers of sailcloth. There is a specific type of cloth for each sailing purpose. Each type of fabric has its own specifications and also consists of different cloth thicknesses. Below is a brief description of a number of materials that we often use because they have proven themselves over the years in practice. As said, there are many more possibilities that may better suit your purpose and sailing area. If you want more information about this please contact the specialists of De Vries Maritiem: Phone number: 0514-562015

DACRON

Dacron cloth we use is a woven All Purpose cloth, made of polyester fibers. Dacron is resilient, hard wearing and UV resistant. In addition, Dacron is easy to handle. The Dacron fabric contains a finish that makes the fabric dimensionally stable and water repellent. The advantage of Dacron is its attractive price. The disadvantage is that Dacron sails over the years lose the optimal shape so it becomes "sailed out". Dacron sails have been the most chosen cloth by the touring sailor for years and have proven themselves for a very long time.

DCX

DCX is a laminate which consists of a total of 6 layers. The outer layers are a protective layer of Dacron, then 2 film layers for stretch and good adhesion, 1 layer with reinforcements in different directions for increased stability and a construction layer for stability and tear resistance. DCX fabric is only suitable for a tri-radial cut so that an optimal shape can be made, is enormously dimensionally stable and is durable. The advantage is great stretch resistance and the possibilities of making an optimal design. A disadvantage is the handling and the higher price.

HYDRANET

Hydranet is a very tight and stable woven fabric which is equipped with extra dyneema fibers. These dyneema fibers ensure that the fabric does not stretch and therefore does not "sail out" and does not tear. This cloth is very suitable for heavy conditions and is also easy to handle. Hydranet has the advantage of having the same properties as Dacron without having the disadvantages.

HYDRANET RADIAL

Hydranet radial has exactly the same properties as Hydranet but specially developed for tri- radial cut sails. This fabric will not stretch lengthwise and is dimensionally stable and will not tear. In addition, it can be designed perfectly and the sail is suitable for heavy (offshore) conditions.

Process

The best sail is made to measure. Our sailmakers come on board (by appointment) to measure the sails and give you advice on the spot. We prefer to measure on board since no two ships are alike. If it is not possible to measure the sails on board, we can also choose to measure the existing sails in our sail shop exactly and use these measurements for the design of the new sails.

Once we have all the data we get to work designing and cutting the panels/lanes. The strips are then glued and stitched together. On the basis of agreed specifications, the sail is finished and made ready for use. Optionally, we can install the sails on your ship.

We are not satisfied until you are! Do you want to experience that yourself? Then get in touch with us. Our phone number is: 0514-562015. Near Lemmer? Come along (with your ship in our harbor) so we can provide you with specific advice. We will be happy to discuss the many options and possibilities for purchasing new sails.